Top 10 Markets in Florence Italy for Food, Flowers, Leather & More

Looking for the best markets in Florence Italy?

Florence is known for its vibrant food and leather markets, but how do you know which ones to visit? We recently spent time in Florence and would love to help answer this question.

In this post, we will outline the top ten markets in Florence for finding local food, leather, flowers, antiques, and more! We will also include pictures and important information about each market, so that you can decide which ones to visit during your time in Florence.

At the end, we will also give a few tips for visiting markets in Florence and some recommended food and market tours.

10 Best Markets in Florence Italy

Without further ado, here is our list of the top ten markets in Florence Italy!

Best Local Food Markets in Florence

When in Florence, you should definitely visit at least one local food market! This is a great way to get a taste of a wide variety of Florentine food, such as local meats, specialty cheeses, and artisan breads, pastries, and jams.

With their colorful displays, Florence markets are a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! Here are the best local food markets to visit:

1. Central Market (Mercato Centrale)

Without question, the most popular and well-known market in Florence is Central Market (or Mercato Centrale). This historic market first opened in 1874 and is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

On the ground floor of Central Market, you will find an array of vendors selling gourmet cheese, meat, fish, wine, nuts, bread, and many other authentic foods! On the first floor, you will find a contemporary food hall, which opened in 2014, where you can choose from a variety of modern artisan shops serving everything from pizza and schiacciata to espresso and sfogliatella.

Market (Ground Floor) Open: Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3 pm; Saturday, 7 am – 5 pm (closed Sundays)
Food Hall (First Floor) Open: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – midnight
Location: Central Market

Tip: Be sure to stop by Alimentari Perini Bruno (pictured above) and sample some of their local jams and cheeses! Pecorino is one of the more unique Tuscan cheeses you can try.

2. Sant’Ambrogio Market (Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio)

Open since 1873, Sant’Ambrogio Market is the oldest market in Florence and is a great place to visit for a more authentic experience! You will usually find more locals than tourists in this food market.

In the outside portion of the market, you will find vendors selling fresh produce, honey, bread, eggs, and other local products. Inside, you will find a delightful assortment of cheese shops, bakeries, butcher’s shops, wine shops, and even a coffee bar and small eatery (Trattoria da Rocco).

Open: Monday – Saturday, 7 am – 2 pm (closed Sundays)
Location: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti (in Santa Croce)

Tip: Feel free to ask the vendors for advice in making your selections! Most are very friendly and are happy to tell you more about their products.

3. Santo Spirito Farmers’ Market (Le Fierucoline di Piazza Santo Spirito)

If you happen to be in Florence on the third Sunday of the month, then the Santo Spirito Farmers’ Market is a wonderful market to visit!

Located in the Santo Spirito neighborhood, this rural market is run by small, family-run farms selling fresh and organic farm products. Here, you find seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey and cheese from Tuscany, wood-fired bread, gluten-free pasta, sugar-free jams, and organic wine and olive oil. You will also find artisan home goods, such as handmade candles and handwoven yarns.

If you are looking to find some authentic gifts to bring home from Italy, then put this market on your list!

Open: Third Sunday of every month, 9 am – 7 pm
Location: Piazza Santo Spirito

4. Cascine Market (Mercato delle Cascine)

Cascine Market is the largest open-air market in Florence and takes place every Tuesday morning in Cascine Park, the largest public park in Florence. At this market, you will find a broad range of vendors selling anything from fresh produce, meats, breads, and cheeses to handmade crafts, home goods, clothing, trinkets, and antiques. Cascine Market is also known for being the most affordable market in Florence.

Open: Tuesdays, 7 am – 2 pm
Location: Cascine Park

Tip: On a nice day, you can bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in Cascine Park after picking up some fresh food from the market!

Best Leather Markets in Florence

Florence is known for its authentic leather shops, markets, and boutiques. If you are looking for a bargain on a leather bag or jacket, then the leather markets are a great place to start!

5. San Lorenzo Market

One of the most famous leather markets in Florence Italy is San Lorenzo Market. Located just outside of Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo Market runs from the Church of San Lorenzo along Via Ariento to Via Nazionale. At this outdoor market, you can find just about any leather product you can imagine. From leather jackets to belts, bags, wallets, and other touristy souvenirs, you can probably find it here.

Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm (closed Sundays and Mondays)
Location: Via Dell’Ariento (outside Central Market)

Note: While the leather markets in Florence are fun to peruse, many of the products sold in these markets are not actually made in Italy. If you are just looking for cheap leather and don’t care as much about the origin, then the leather markets are a great place to shop. However, if you are looking for leather that is 100% made-in-Italy, then we would suggest checking out some of the local leather boutiques in Florence (such as Benheart or Cuoieria Fiorentina) instead!

6. Porcellino Market (Mercato del Porcellino or Mercato Nuovo)

The other famous leather market in Florence is Porcellino Market, named for the bronze boar statue that sits in the market plaza. This outdoor market is located under the 16th-century loggia (arches) of Piazza del Mercato Nuovo in the center of the city. Here, you can find inexpensive leather products, silk scarves, and other souvenirs.

Open: Daily, 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Location: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo

Tip: If you stop by this market, look for the bronze statue of the wild boar. According to Florentine tradition, rubbing the pig’s nose will bring you good luck!

Best Local Flower Market in Florence

While you will likely find at least one vendor selling flowers at most markets in Florence, there is one little market that is dedicated solely to selling lovely plants and flowers!

7. Flower Market in Piazza della Repubblica 

If you are looking for a local flower market in the heart of Florence, you can find it once a week in Piazza della Repubblica. Every Thursday, this charming square comes alive with an array of vendors selling colorful bouquets, blooming flowers, greenery, herbs, and household plants. If you ever catch yourself in Florence on a Thursday, don’t miss this charming market.

Open: Thursdays, 10 am – 7 pm
Location: Piazza della Repubblica

Tip: Arrive in the square earlier in the day for the best selection of florals!

Best Antique Markets in Florence

In addition to food, leather, and flower markets, Florence also has an assortment of popular antique markets! If you enjoy shopping for vintage items, consider visiting these local antique markets when in Florence:

8. Santo Spirito Vintage Market (Mercato di Santo Spirito)

Located just across the Arno River, the Santo Spirito Vintage Market is a fantastic place to shop for antiques and other vintage items. At this vibrant outdoor market, you will find around one-hundred vendors selling various collectibles, antiques, books, prints, and artisan crafts. Not to mention, it is also located in a great local neighborhood!

Open: Second Sunday of every month (closed July and August)
Location: Piazza Santo Spirito

Tip: After perusing the market, take some time to visit the beautiful Basilica di Santo Spirito nearby!

9. Flea Market (Mercato delle Pulci)

This flea market was located in the Piazza del Ciompi for many years, but it was recently given a new home in Largo Annigoni, just behind the Sant’Ambrogio Market. At this new flea market, you can peruse twenty-six small antique shops selling old vinyl, books, prints, paintings, clothing, furniture, and other household items. The new market building is covered, making it a great place to go antiquing on a rainy day.

Open: Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 7:30 pm (closed Sundays)
Location: Largo Annigoni

10. Fiesole Vintage Market

For antique enthusiasts, consider taking a short trip to Fiesole, a small town just outside of Florence. At Fiesole Vintage Market, you will find a unique selection of vintage items and antiques. You can get to Fiesole from Florence in about twenty minutes by bus.

Open: First Saturday and Sunday of every month
Location: Piazza Mino da Fiesole

Tip: While Fiesole is only about five miles from the city of Florence, it is a much higher town, offering a beautiful, distant view of Florence below. While you are there, make sure to take in the breathtaking views of Florence!

Map of Best Markets in Florence

Here is an interactive map of all of the markets listed above.

How to use this map: Click on the map above to view the full map of Florence markets. To save it to your phone or computer, click the star in the top left corner. Then, when you open Google Maps, this map will appear in your saved maps. (You can also download this map for offline use!)

Tips for Visiting Markets in Florence

Before visiting the markets in Florence Italy, here are a few important tips to keep in mind:

• Bring cash. While some vendors will take credit cards, many only accept cash. Make sure you have some small change (euros) on hand before hitting the markets!
• Engage with vendors. Most of the vendors at the markets in Florence are very friendly and are happy to answer questions, give recommendations, and tell you more about their products. Feel free to ask them questions!
• Know that you can haggle over the price. This is especially true at the leather markets. As long as you are making a reasonable offer, most vendors are willing to negotiate and come down a little on their price.
• Keep an eye on your purse or wallet. While the markets in Florence are very safe, you should always keep your personal belongings close to avoid pickpocketing, especially in the crowded market areas!
• Go earlier in the day. For the weekly and monthly markets, you will often find the best selection of goods by visiting the markets earlier in the day.
• Look for authentic gifts and souvenirs. Markets are great places to find authentic gifts and souvenirs to bring home from Italy! While some of the markets sell more touristy products, others, such as the Santo Spirito Farmers’ Market, offer some beautiful, artisan goods.

Best Market Tours in Florence

If you are looking for a fun market tour to do while in Florence, we would suggest this well-rated food and market tour of Mercato Centrale:

On the other hand, if you are interested in taking a market tour and a cooking class, we would recommend this excellent market tour and pasta-making class in the heart of Florence! (We took this cooking class and market tour and loved it!)

(To read more about cooking classes and market tours in Florence, click here!)

Visiting Florence: FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Florence.

What is the famous market in Florence?

The most famous market in Florence is Central Market (Mercato Centrale). It is located in a modern, two-story building and is popular with both locals and tourists. Whether you want to sample some local charcuterie or try some lampredotto, Central Market is a great place to grab some authentic Florentine food!

What is the largest market in Florence?

The largest market in Florence is Cascine Market (Mercato delle Cascine). It takes place every Tuesday from 7 am – 2 pm in Cascine Park, the largest park in Florence.

At Cascine Market, you can find anything from local food to antiques, clothing, household items, and trinkets. Cascine Market is also said to be the most affordable market in Florence.

Is Florence worth visiting?

Yes! Florence is worth visiting for at least a few days. With its world-famous Renaissance art, stunning architecture, and delicious Tuscan cuisine, Florence has much to offer. Whether you want to take an Italian cooking class, shop Florence’s many markets, take a day trip to one of the Tuscan hill towns, or climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, you are sure to find that Florence is worth a visit!

READ MORE: Is Florence Worth Visiting? 23 Reasons to Visit & Things to Do

Conclusion: Markets in Florence Italy

There is no doubt that Florence has an amazing selection of markets! For a classic Florentine market experience, visit Central or Sant’Ambrogio Market and try some fresh local meats, breads, jams, and cheeses. For organic and artisan products, you can visit the Santo Spirito Farmers’ Market and buy some authentic Italian gifts to bring home.

For bargain leather products, stop by San Lorenzo or Porcellino Market. For flowers, you can stroll through the weekly flower market in Piazza della Repubblica. For antiques, visit the Santo Spirito Vintage Market to find some vintage treasures.

We hope that you will enjoy visiting the markets in Florence Italy!